Striking Lyttelton Port workers are calling for the council to step in as more industrial action is set to ground operations to a halt.
Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) members have issued strike notices from April 20 to 24.
Further action involving 11 marine staff will see crew tugs and pilot boats out of action from April 26 to 29.
RMTU organiser John Kerr says Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) has issued a lockout notice to union members “with a view to compelling employees to comply with LPC’s demand”.
“This move by LPC shows very clearly that their priority is bullying RMTU members into submission, not getting the port working.
“They’ve stalled, and delayed, and now that it’s clear our members demand fair pay and proper health and safety at work, they’re making threats and refusing to negotiate.
“From day one, what port workers have asked for is to be paid the same as other people doing the exact same work. They’ve asked for proper processes to manage fatigue so the port can operate safely 24/7.
“This is perfectly reasonable, and the decent thing to do. But Lyttelton Port is determined to treat them unfairly.
“It seems there’s no option now but for Christchurch City Council, as the 100% shareholder of the port, to step in …
“Port workers have taken strike action because they have no other way to show how important they are to Lyttelton Port. The company isn’t listening. We need our elected representatives to start.”
LPC chief executive Peter Davie says although only 11 marine staff will be on strike from April 26 to 29 the action will close the whole port.
LPC will therefore pay none of RMTU’s remaining 180 members during that strike, Davie says.
“This tactic will not work … I want to make this very clear.
“The RMTU strike notice may be for only approximately 11 of its members but none of its 191 members will be paid for any day for which we receive a strike notice.
“We are taking this step as a direct response to the union’s tactic of causing maximum disruption to customers and businesses in the region while trying to ensure its members don’t lose money.
“The union has refused our very generous offer which is well above inflation.
“The dispute is about only one thing – the RMTU wants a better settlement than the other major union at our port – the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ).
“The RMTU claims it wants the same offer we made MUNZ – but it has rejected it.
“The RMTU members want the same salary increases as MUNZ but they will not make the roster changes MUNZ agreed to as part of their offer.
“We remain committed to resolving the dispute but do not see any justification for amending our very generous offer,” Davie says.
